LRC Support & Bursary Advisor

We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Student Support and LRC Assistant to join our Student Services and Learning Resource Centre team. In this student-facing role, you will play a key part in supporting students through the bursary application process and contributing to a welcoming, well-managed library and study environment. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to student lives, combining administrative expertise with front-line support, while promoting a positive and productive learning space.

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Job Details

You will act as the first point of contact for bursary-related queries, offering clear, timely, and personalised support to students at every stage of the application journey. Working collaboratively with internal departments, you’ll help ensure that students receive financial support with minimal barriers.

As part of the LRC team, you will also help manage and maintain a purposeful study environment—supporting students with everyday queries, promoting respectful behaviour, facilitating enrichment activities, and assisting in the delivery of an efficient and engaging library service.

Duties & Responsibilities

Bursary Support

  • Act as the first point of contact for bursary enquiries, offering guidance with care and discretion.
  • Support students with completing applications, submitting evidence, and using tracking tools.
  • Handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
  • Assist with scanning, photocopying, and uploading documents as part of the application process.
  • Collaborate with departments to ensure smooth application progress and timely resolutions.
  • Identify and improve processes using AI and automation tools where appropriate.

LRC Environment & Student Engagement

  • Foster positive relationships with students, promoting respectful behaviour and engagement.
  • Supervise LRC areas to ensure they are safe, welcoming, and conducive to learning.
  • Encourage participation in lunchtime workshops and enrichment activities.
  • Support awareness campaigns and student-led initiatives through creative displays and events.
  • Assist students with laptops, basic IT support, printing, and resource navigation.

Library Services

  • Operate the Library Management System to issue/return resources and manage inventory.
  • Support general enquiries and help students make the most of library services.
  • Manage printing credit, issue stationery, and provide administrative assistance.
  • Promote inclusion and access to learning resources for all students.
  • Collect feedback through surveys and group discussions to enhance student experience.

The right candidate will have:

Essential:

  • A good standard of general education, especially in English and communications.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and administrative skills.
  • High levels of organisation, accuracy, and attention to detail.
  • A student-focused, approachable, and supportive attitude.
  • Competence with Microsoft Office and basic IT systems.
  • Discretion in handling sensitive and confidential situations.

Desirable:

  • A recognised administrative qualification.
  • Experience in further education or working with young people.
  • Experience with AI or automation in an administrative setting.

Why choose us?

Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.

What we offer:

* subject to terms & conditions

This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.  It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Self-declaration is subject to Ministry of Justice guidance on the disclosure of criminal records, further information can be found on GOV UK

USP College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, we therefore expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any other checks that the role requires to ascertain suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults, which may include online searches.

We will hold and process any personal data, including sensitive (special category) personal data, relating to you in accordance with our legal obligations, in the manner set out in the Privacy Notice for staff and in accordance with our Data Protection Policy, which is set out on the College’s website, found here. You should familiarise yourself with our Data Protection Policy (and all other subsidiary policies to it) and comply with them at all times. Neither the Privacy Notice for Staff nor those policies form a part of your contract of employment.